ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Heavy Industries
Azadi Amrut Chai in Orthodox, Elaichi, Adrakh and Masala flavors launched,
Azadi Amrut Chai to be available soon for retail sale at Tea Board counter of Parliament, Trifed outlets, Udyog Bhawan and other Central Government offices
M/s Andrew Yule & Co Ltd, a Central Public Sector Enterprise in Tea Sector under Ministry of Heavy Industries has come out with a series of Azadi Amrut Chai in Orthodox, Elaichi, Adrakh and Masala flavors to commemorate the 75th year of India’s Independence and to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Azadi Amrut Chai was launched by the Union Heavy Industries Minister, Dr. Mahendra nath Pandey on Friday. It will be available for retail sale soon at an introductory price of Rs 75 per 100 gms pack, at Tea Board counter of Parliament, Trifed outlets, Udyog Bhawan and other Central Government offices.
M/s Andrew Yule & Co Ltd, a 158 years old company, has 15 Tea Gardens spread over Assam and West Bengal having close to 14000 employees. All its gardens are more than 100 years old producing 110 Lac Kgs of high quality, CTC, Orthodox, Green and White Tea.
Ministry of Culture
Fifth bathing festival of Prayagraj Kumbh to take place tomorrow
The Fifth bathing festival of Maghi Purnima at Prayagraj Kumbh will take place tomorrow. A large number of devotees and tourists are continuously reaching the Kumbh for taking holy bath on the occasion. Traffic restrictions have been imposed in the district in view of heavy rush of pilgrims. Entry of heavy vehicles has been restricted Into the district and all types of vehicles including pass holders are banned to enter into the Mela. Only vehicles related to essential services, media and administration are allowed.
With the bathing of Maghi Purnima, Kalpvasees will return to their home. They will be second largest contingent of the Kumbh who leaves the Mela prior to Mahashivratri. Mela administration has developed 8 kelometer long 40 bathing ghats for devotees. Elaborate security arrangements are in place. Additional central para military forces are deployed in view of huge rush on the occasion. Two bridges on the rivers of Ganga and Yamuna are closed for traffic and only old bridge on Yamuna is open for traffic. Additional watch towers have been erected with public address system to regulate the rush of devotees. Mela administration has said that photography will not be allowed within the 100 feet proximity of bathing ghats as per order of Allahabad High court. The court has also directed that photos of bathing women will not be allowed to be published. Educational Institutions including higher education at Prayagraj have been closed for three days from today.
Mela administration has also deployed magistrates and police officers at sensitive places to avoid congregation of devotees at one place in the Mela area.
Prime Minister's Office
PM conveys best wishes on Goa Statehood Day
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has conveyed his best wishes on the occasion of Goa Statehood Day.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
“Best wishes on Goa Statehood Day! Goa, an exquisite blend of serenity and vibrancy, continues to inspire with its unique culture and enduring spirit. I pray for the well-being and prosperity of Goans and hope they continue to strengthen India’s development trajectory.”
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
PMJDY has Reached the Remotest and Hilly Areas Benefitting all Sections of the Society, Opine Experts
PIB Guwahati Holds Webinar on the occasion of 7th Anniversary of PMJDY
The actual journey of financial inclusion in India started in 2014 when the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana  and other related schemes were started, said Shri Sushanta Kumar Sahoo, DGM, State Bank of India, Guwahati while addressing a webinar organized on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the launch of Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. The webinar was organized by Press Information Bureau, Guwahati today.
Talking about financial inclusion Shri Sahoo said that financial inclusion mainly provides reliable financial solution to the economically weaker section of the society through various financial products relating to credit, investment, insurance and pension. He informed that a record number of bank accounts were opened under PMJDY scheme in Assam. As on June, 2021 the State has 1 Crore 90 Lakh PMJDY accounts against 50 lakh households, he said. He also highlighted about the success of other schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana and Atal Pension Yojana in his address.
Shri Sahoo requested all the stakeholders like the government functionaries at the different district and block level and also the NGOs to participate in this programme in good manner so that the financial inclusion programme can reach the lowest section of the people and this movement can go on successfully.
Addressing the webinar, Smt Kuhu Ganguli, DGM, State Bank of India, LHM, Kolkata informed that in Sikkim 86 thousand Jan Dhan accounts have been opened till date. Asserting it as a big achievement she said that the benefits of Jan Dhan Yojana have reached the remotest and hilly areas benefitting all section of people.
Prof S. S. Mahapatra, HoD, Commerce, Sikkim Central university spoke on Financial inclusion and economic development in the country in reference of PMJDY. He said that within a short span of seven years India has seen many changes and the financial inclusion ecosystem has become stronger and now it is capable of delivering financial services to the poorest of the poor. Shri Mahapatra added that during Covid-19 Atmanirbhar package led people to view Jan Dhan as the channel for all welfare schemes.
Shri Ravi Shankar Ravi, Editor Dainik Purvoday opined that opening a bank account is now not difficult for the lower strata of population in our country because of PMJDY. Under this scheme the Government has granted access to those who have difficulties opening accounts in banks.
Shri Gopajit Das, Media and Communication Officer, PIB delivered the welcome address and the webinar was moderated by Smt. Sucharita Sahoo, Media and Communication Officer, PIB, Guwahati. Participants from across Northeast region, field offices of Press Information Bureau & Regional Outreach Bureau joined the webinar today.
Ministry of Defence
PARAKRAM PARV BEGINS AT WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND
As part of 'Parakram Parv' celebrations to commemorate the second anniversary of surgical Strike by India, almost 6000 school children from about 30 schools in and around Mumbai along with cadets from NCC and Sea Cadets Corps  visited frontine ships Mumbai and Brahmputra of Western Fleet at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai today.
The children enthusiastically interacted with naval personnel manning various stalls exhibiting static models of ships/ aircraft/ arms and equipment within the premises of the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
The young visitors also got a glimpse of various videos on the operations by the Marine Commandos, Surgical strikes of the Indian Army and the numerous operations conducted by the Indian Navy.
One of the most popular activity for the school children was to express their gratitude on the numerous graffiti walls of canvas and acknowledge the sacrifices made by the armed forces.
The Naval band also enthralled the children and general public at Ballard Pier by honouring the fallen soldiers during the period with their soulful tunes.
President's Secretariat
No 'Change of Guard' Ceremony on April 30
The Change of Guard Ceremony will not to be held this Saturday  on the Forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Drought Mitigation Programmes
In 2009, a special package for Bundelkhand region was approved at a cost of Rs.7266 crore comprising Rs.3506 crore for Uttar Pradesh and Rs.3760 crore for Madhya Pradesh for a period of 3 years, starting from 2009-10. The package envisaged an Additional Central Assistance  to the tune of Rs.3450 crore comprising Rs. 1596 crore to Uttar Pradesh & Rs.1854 crore to Madhya Pradesh and balance cost of the package was to be met by converging resources from ongoing central sector and centrally sponsored schemes. Further, Government of India approved an Additional Central Assistance of Rs.200 crore  to provide drinking water in the Bundelkhand region.
Further, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved continuation of Bundelkhand Special Package through NITI Aayog during the 12th Plan period  under Backward Regions Grant Fund  to address various issues of the Bundlekhand region for sustaining food-grain production and also for providing livelihood support in the region with overall objective of socio-economic development of the area, besides, prevention of rural to urban migration.
Under this package various interventions like Watershed Development, Construction of Surface Irrigation Project, Construction of Dug well and its energization, Construction of Stop Dams, Afforestation, Storage and Market yards, Distribution of Goats and Bulls, Fodder Storage, Dairy Development, Drinking Water Supply, Crops and Horticulture Development and Marketing etc. were adopted in all 7 districts of Uttar Pradesh and 6 Districts of Madhya Pradesh of Bundelkhand Region.
So far, an amount of Rs.3107.87 crore has been released to Uttar Pradesh in three phases during 2009- 2010 to 2018-2019 and an amount of Rs. 704.5 crore has been released to Madhya Pradesh in two phases 2009-2010 to 2018-2019.
This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in Lok Sabha today.
President's Secretariat
President of India to visit Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim from november 2 to 5
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, will visit Nagaland, Mizoram and Sikkim from November 2 to 5, 2022.
On November 2, 2022, the President will attend the civic reception to be hosted in her honour by the Government of Nagaland in Kohima. On that occasion, she will also inaugurate/lay the foundation stone for various projects related to education and infrastructure in the state.
On November 3, 2022, the President will pay her respects at the Kohima War Cemetery and visit Kigwema village where she will interact with the Village Council Members and the members of SHGs. On the same day, she will grace the 17th convocation of the Mizoram University at Aizawl and inaugurate various education related projects in the state of Mizoram. In the evening, she will also attend the civic reception to be hosted by the Government of Mizoram in her honour at the Raj Bhavan, Aizawl.
On November 4, 2022, the President will address the members of the Mizoram Legislative Assembly at Aizawl. On the same day, she will attend a civic reception to be hosted by the Government of Sikkim in her honour and inaugurate/lay the foundation stones for the various projects of Central and State governments.
On November 5, 2022, the President will interact with women achievers and members of SHGs at Tathagatha Tsal, Ravongla before returning to Delhi.
President's Secretariat
President of India presents Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard  at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
In her brief remarks on the occasion, the President congratulated the Commandant, Officers, JCOs and Other Ranks of the PBG for the remarkable display of parade, maintenance of well groomed horses and the impressive ceremonial attire. She said that this event is even more special as the President’s Bodyguard is celebrating 250 years of its Raising which is coinciding with ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ being celebrated across the country.
The President appreciated PBG for their excellent military traditions, professionalism and discipline in all their tasks. She said that the nation is proud of them. She expressed confidence that they will strive with dedication, discipline and valour, to maintain the highest traditions of Rashtrapati Bhavan and be an ideal role model for other Regiments of the Indian Army.
The President’s Bodyguard is the oldest regiment in the Indian Army, having been raised as the Governor-General’s Bodyguard  in 1773. As the President of India’s own Guard, it has the unique distinction of being the only military unit of the Indian Army that is privileged to carry the President’s Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner. This distinction was conferred on the President’s Bodyguard in 1923 by the then Viceroy, Lord Reading, on the occasion of the Bodyguard completing 150 years of service. Each succeeding Viceroy, thereafter, presented the Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the Bodyguard.
On January 27, 1950, the regiment was renamed the President’s Bodyguard. Every President has continued the practice of honouring the regiment. Rather than a coat of arms, as was the practice in the colonial era, the monogram of the President appears on the Banner. Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, presented his Silver Trumpet and Trumpet Banner to the President’s Bodyguard on May 14, 1957.
The President’s Bodyguard, as it is known today, was raised in Banaras  by the then Governor-General, Warren Hastings. It had an initial strength of 50 cavalry troopers, later augmented by another 50 horsemen. Today, the President’s Bodyguard is a select body of hand-picked men with special physical attributes. They are chosen after a rigorous and physically gruelling process.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Dr. Pramod Sawant and his Council of Ministers on taking oath
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Dr. Pramod Sawant and his Council of Ministers on taking oath as the Chief Minister and Ministers of Goa.
The Prime Minister expressed his confidence that entire team will deliver good governance to the people of Goa.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Congratulations to @DrPramodPSawant Ji and all others who took oath in Goa today. I am confident this entire team will deliver good governance to the people of Goa and build on the pro-people work done in the last decade."
Ministry of Defence
IAF MIG-27  Crash
An Indian Air Force MiG-27  aircraft got airborne from Air Force Station Uttarlai, Rajasthan at 1127 hrs today for a routine sortie. The aircraft crashed at 1145 hrs, approximately 120 km south of Jodhpur. The pilot ejected safely and has been recovered by Search and Rescue helicopter. The pilot is safe and preliminary investigations have revealed no damage to any person or property on ground. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to investigate the cause of the accident.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Cabinet approves ASHA Benefit Package
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to ASHA Benefit Package w.e.f. October, 2018  with two components as under: -
- ASHAs and ASHA facilitators meeting the eligibility criteria to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana.
- An increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives under National Health Mission for ASHAs under NHM from Rs. 1000/- per month to Rs. 2000/-per month.
The package entails an expenditure  to Rs.1224.97 crore for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
No of beneficiaries:
- Estimated 10,63,670 ASHAS and ASHA facilitators to be covered under Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana.
- Estimated 9,57,303  ASHAS and ASHA facilitators to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana.
- Estimated 10,22,265  ASHAs will get at least minimum of Rs 2000/- per month from current Rs1000/- for routine activities.
Details:
- ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana . The eligibility criteria are 18-70 years.Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May and benefit is as under:–
- Rs. 2 Lakh in case of death due to accident
- Rs. 2 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of both eyes or loss of use of both hands or feet or loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of one hand or one foot
- Rs. 1 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or one foot
The annual Premium of Rs 12 per beneficiary will be paid by Central Government.
ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators meeting the age criteria of 18-50 years to be covered under Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana . The annual premium of Rs. 330  will be paid by the Central Government. Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May and benefit is Rs 2 Lakh in case of death due to any cause.
- ASHAs will get a minimum of Rs.2000/- per month from current Rs 1000/- per month as incentives for routine activities. This is in addition to other task based incentives approved at Central/State level.
Implementation Strategy and Targets:
- The existing institutional mechanisms for the National Health Mission would be utilised to implement the proposed ASHA Benefit package.
- By 31st March 2019- 65 % of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana
- By 30th October, 2019-100 % of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBima and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana
- The increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives for ASHAs from Rs. 1000 per month to Rs. 2000 per month would be with effect from October 2018 .
Ministry of Defence
REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN DEFENCE FORCES
The representation of women in the defence forces is as follows:
|
|
Army
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|
Navy
|
|
Air Force
|
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0.59% 
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|
6%|
|
1.08%Figures are in respect of Women Officers only as women are inducted at officer level presently.
Post Hon’ble Supreme Court order dated 17th February 2020, Women Officers are being granted Permanent Commission in 10 Arms/Services of Indian Army subject to their meeting the Qualitative Requirement  along with the Short Service Commissioned Men Officers. Women Officers are also being inducted in Army Aviation Corps as Pilots from June 2021 onwards.
The Government has sanctioned for enrolment of 1700 women in Corps of Military Police in a phased manner. The induction of women has commenced from the year 2020. First batch of women Military Police personnel have completed their training and reported to units.
The Defence Forces have opened entry for women candidates in NDA, allowing girls to appear in NDA entrance exams from July 2022 courses onwards. For the first batch, written exam has been conducted on 14th November, 2021.
The Indian Air Force  undertakes various induction publicity measures to encourage youth including women to join IAF. Modules like direct contact programme, print and electronic media is extensively used to create awareness about IAF and educate students about various mode of entries.
Women officers in Indian Navy are appointed onboard warships. Currently 29 women officers are appointed to ships. Until 2019, women officers were being commissioned as Pilots and Observers only for shore based aircraft. However, in order to employ women at par with male officers, women officers have also been streamed as specialist Observers into helicopters commencing 2020. Provost specialisation has been opened up for women officers since 2020 and the first woman Provost officer has joined the specialisation in March 2021 after successful completion of At-Arms course.
The Remotely Piloted Aircraft  stream has been opened up for women officers. The first woman officer has joined RPA squadron in March 2021. One woman officer has been appointed as ADA, Moscow in June 2020. One woman observer officer has been deputed overseas to Maldives in September 2020, as part of Dornier aircrew for a period of one year. In addition, women officers are also deputed abroad for shorter durations as part of mobile Training Teams and other foreign cooperation engagements.
Unlike officers, all sailors’ Branches/Specialisations are seagoing and serve onboard ships. Onboard ships, personnel  stay in close proximity with open WC/bathing systems. Therefore, the induction of women is limited to availability of gender exclusive infrastructure.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri Bhola Singh in Lok Sabha today.
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Chhattisgarh becomes 35th State/UT to implement One Nation One Ration Card
ONORC now covers 96.8% NFSA population across 35 States/UTs
Under ONORC plan from August 2019, more than 56 Crore portability transactions have been recorded in the States/UTs
Presently, a monthly average of about 2.5 Crore portability transactions  are being recorded in the States/UTs under ONORC
Recently Department of Food & Public Distribution had reviewed the progress of States/UTs towards the implementation of “One Nation One Ration Card”  plan and after successful testing of portability transactions, the Department has approved the integration of Chhattisgarh with the existing cluster of portability States/UTs under ONORC. Accordingly, the ONORC plan for nation-wide portability of the National Food Security Act  ration cards has been enabled in the Chhattisgarh State from 2nd February 2022.
With the integration of Chhattisgarh, the ONORC plan is now operational in 35 States/UTs covering almost 96.8% NFSA population  in the country. The migrant NFSA beneficiaries of Chhattisgarh State will also now be able to take the benefit of subsidised foodgrains at any Fair Price Shop  across the country.
ONORC is a technology driven distribution system which makes food security portable across the country and is very beneficial for migratory NFSA beneficiaries, who frequently change their place of dwelling in search of temporary employments, etc. This provides them with an option to lift their entitled quota of foodgrains from any FPS of their choice, anywhere in the country, by using their same/existing ration card. It is also noteworthy that the families of the migratory beneficiaries back home, can also avail the balance ration without any difficulty.
Since inception of the ONORC plan in August 2019, so far more than 56 Crore portability transactions have been recorded in the States/UTs under ONORC, delivering nearly total 100 LMT foodgrains through both inter-State and intra-State portability transactions equivalent to about Rs. 31,000 Crore in food subsidy. As a key indicator, presently a monthly average of about 2.5 Crore portability transactions  are being recorded in the States/UTs under ONORC. From the high volume of about 49 Crore portability transactions done by the beneficiaries during the COVID-19 period , it is evident that the flexibility of choosing any FPS  under ONORC has proved to be a tremendous source of food security for many migrant beneficiaries/families, as they are now able to lift their entitled ration under NFSA and PMGKAY seamlessly.